Fronting this picture, at the other end of the gallery, is the same King, with his Queen, and two children, King Charles II. when a child, and King James II. an infant in the Queen’s lap. The King’s paternal tenderness is finely expressed, his son standing at his knee: the Queen’s countenance is expressive of an affectionate obedience to his Majesty, and a fond care of her child, which she seems to desire the King to look on. The infant is exquisitely performed; the vacancy of thought in the face, and the inactivity of the hands, are equal to life itself at that age. These two admirable pieces were done by Vandyck.
One of the next capital pictures in this gallery is Esther fainting before King Ahasuerus, painted by Tintoret. All the figures are finely drawn and richly dressed in the Venetian manner; for the Venetian school painted all their historical figures in their own habits, thinking them more noble and picturesque than any other.
The next piece is the nine muses in concert, finely drawn by the same master.
Midas preferring Pan to Apollo, is a fine piece, by Andrea Schiavone; but it is a good deal hurt by time; the figures however are well drawn and coloured; and the affectation of judgment in Midas is finely expressed.
The shepherds offering gifts to Christ, St. John in prison, the story of the woman of Samaria, and John Baptist’s head, are fine pieces, by Old Palma.
Noah’s flood, by Bassan, is a masterly performance.
Over the chimney is a Madona, by Raphael, which, though a small piece, gives a very high idea of that great master’s abilities. There is also in this gallery a Madona by Vandyck, which is exquisitely performed.
The other pictures here are, the birth of Jupiter, a fine piece, by Giulio Romano; a Cupid whetting his arrow, by Annibal Caracci; and a Venus and Cupid, by Titian.
Kent road, At the upper end of Kent street.
Kent street, extends from the end of Long lane, near St. George’s church, Southwark, to Kent road. It is observable that the principal business of this street is making of birch brooms, in which the masters are such great dealers, that in some of their yards several stacks of brooms may be seen of a considerable extent, and rising as high as the most lofty houses.